Tibet 5-Day Cultural&Natural Tour
On this Lhasa tour, you will deeply experience the mystery and magnificence of the plateau. In five days, you will not only enjoy the natural and cultural beauty of Lhasa and its surrounding areas, but also leave unforgettable memories in your heart. The magnificent buildings, serene lakes, pious beliefs and simple Tibetan people will all become precious treasures in your heart.
Included with every escorted tour
Day 1: Lhasa Arrival
Lhasa Arrival
4+stars Hotel
None
Welcome to Lhasa, our guide and driver will pick you up and transfer you to your hotel to check in, have a good rest and prepare for our Lhasa tour!
Day 2: Lhasa
Potala Palace – Jokhang Temple–Barkhor Street
4+stars Hotel
Breakfast
After breakfast, you will begin the day’s adventure in Lhasa. First you will visit the majestic Potala Palace, which has spanned more than 1,300 years and still stands proudly in the skies of Lhasa. It is not only the political center of Tibet, but also a holy place of religion, which was once the temple of the Dalai Lama to rule and preach Buddhism.
Potala Palace: Begin your exploration at the iconic Potala Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site and former winter residence of the Dalai Lama. “Potala” is a transliteration from the Sanskrit for Mt Potala, the mythological mountain abode of Avalookitesvara, God of Mercy. It is not only the political center of Tibet, but also a holy place of religion, which was once the temple of the Dalai Lama to rule and preach Buddhism.
In the afternoon, we turn to the most sacred Buddhist temple in Tibet – Jokhang Temple. As a spiritual beacon for Tibetans, it attracts countless devout pilgrims every day.
Jokhang Temple: Jokhang Temple is one of the most revered and important religious sites in Tibetan Buddhism. Built in the 7th century by King Songtsen Gampo, it houses a sacred statue of the Buddha – the life-size image of 8-year-old Jowa Sakyamuni, believed to be the most venerated image of the Buddha in Tibet. The temple’s architecture is a blend of Indian, Nepalese, and Tibetan styles, with intricate woodwork, golden roofs, and detailed murals. As the spiritual center of Tibetan Buddhism, constant swarms of pilgrims from different parts of Tibet come to Jokhang, and prostrate outside the temple to the Buddha.
Finally, Stroll along Barkhor Street, a bustling market where you can shop for Tibetan handicrafts and savor local snacks.
Day 3: Lhasa
Norbulingka Park – Drepung Monastery
4+stars Hotel
Breakfast
After breakfast, we will embark on a new journey with our first stop at Norbulingka Park – known as the Summer Palace of the Dalai Lama – the most splendid oasis in Dhaxi Tibet.
Continuing westward for about 5 kilometers you will arrive at the Drepung Monastery. Visit Drepung Monastery, one of the largest monasteries in Tibet, and learn about its historical significance. On festive occasions, the monastery organizes grand Buddhist ceremonies, the most spectacular being the annual presentation of the Buddha statue at the Songtung Festival.
Day 4: Lhasa
Lhasa–Yamdrok Lake–No. 1/No. 3 Observation Deck– Xiazhulin Temple
4+stars Hotel
Breakfast
Yamdrok Lake: Yamdrok Lake is one of the most stunning high-altitude lakes in the world. Situated at over 4,400 meters above sea level, the lake is known for its vivid
turquoise waters, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and rolling hills. It’s a sacred site in Tibetan Buddhism, with pilgrims often visiting to offer prayers and make
ritual circumambulations. Shaped roughly like a Chinese character, this beautiful lake is the perfect place to visit for those that admire the stunning beauty of Tibet’s
natural landscape.
No. 1/No. 3 Observation Deck: No. 1 Observation Deck-The most visited classic observation deck, it is the highest point overlooking Yamdrok Lake, where you can see
the winding lakeshore and the snow-capped mountains in the distance. No. 3 Observation Deck-Overlooking the snow-capped mountains from afar, you can get close
to Yamdrok Lake, which is where most of the aquatic birds in Tibet live. This is where these water birds gather and you can interact with them.
Xiazhulin Temple: Xiazhulin Temple is is located on a hill in Gangdui Town, Gongga County, 22 kilometers away from Gongga County. It belongs to the Gelug sect of
Tibetan Buddhism. Compared with other popular ancient temples, it is smaller and quieter. With an altitude of 3200m, Xiazhulin Temple is the best spot to view the
Yarlung Zangbo River (the Brahmaputra River), which is one of the longest rivers in Asia, spanning about 2,900 km. Tibetans consider the Yarlung Zangbo River to be
a holy river. Xiazhulin Temple is also famous for the body of the auspicious goddess that it enshrines. This Buddha statue is a 12-year-old girl who passed away. After
her death, her body naturally shrank to only one cubit high, showing the sitting posture of Tara. As time passed, she still sat quietly on the top of the Xie Zhulin Temple,
guarding this sacred land.
Good to Know
1. April to November is the best time to visit Yamdrok Lake. August is the rainy season in Tibet.
2. Tibetans don’t fish, bathe or swim in the holy lake. Remember to respect the local customs when you visit the lake.
3. Please note that the temperature difference between the morning and evening in Tibet. The daytime ultraviolet ray is strong meanwhile the scenic area temperature
is low. Please be sure to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, hats and warm clothing.
Day 5: Lhasa Departure
Lhasa Departure
None
Breakfast
Our Tibet tour ends here, the driver and tour guide will send you to the airport or station according to your itinerary, we hope this trip can leave you with good memories and look forward to meeting you again!
